Pune city has been witnessing traffic problems as the roads have narrowed due to BRTS (FILE)Pune City Police has urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to open the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lane for all vehicles to reduce congestion on roads, instead of only allowing PMPML buses.
The traffic situation in the city has worsened in the last few months and the authorities concerned have come under sharp criticism over it.
The PMC has already set up BRTS on a few main roads of the city and is also constructing flyovers, underpasses, subways and grade separators across the city. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro) is constructing two corridors of Pune Metro rail and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The National Highways Authority of India is also
constructing a flyover at Chandni Chowk and widening the road from Navale bridge to Katraj junction.
The multiple projects across the city have hit traffic movement while the condition of roads has deteriorated during the monsoon, leading to serious traffic chaos on almost all city roads.
After facing criticism over the traffic situation, the PMC urged city police to ban heavy vehicles in the city and improve traffic management.
“The immediate solution to traffic chaos is better traffic management and banning heavy vehicles in the city,” said a civic officer.
Meanwhile, NCP legislator from Vadgaonsheri, Sunil Tingre, urged the PMC to open up the BRTS lane in the city for all vehicles to ease the traffic situation.
“The Ahmednagar Road in Vadgaonsheri is facing serious traffic issues. Work on Pune Metro is also going on. It is necessary to open the BRTS lane for all vehicles…,” he said.
The PMC officer said the city police has also reached out to PMC with the same demand of opening up the BRTS lane for all vehicles to reduce traffic chaos.
“The PMPML uses the BRTS, so it has immediately responded to the PMC, urging it not to open the lane for all vehicles. The transport utility has said only state transport buses, ambulances, fire vehicles and school buses should use it,”said the official.
The PMC is soon going to hold a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the issue, said the officer.